Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...

This month soft-serve monarch Dairy Queen turns 75. At its 10th anniversary, the company boasted more than 1,000 open and planned stores. Today, Dairy Queen counts more than 6,000 locations across 20 countries.
At a time when many established brands are struggling with an identity crisis, Dairy...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...

At JJ’s Red Hots in Charlotte, North Carolina, the hot dog is big business. The two-year-old eatery in the historic Dilworth neighborhood serves up hundreds of charbroiled Sahlen’s smokehouse dogs on toasted potato rolls daily.
While customers can build their own creations, JJ’s menu features a...

As sensory experiences go—the ones we can write about in a respectable, professional publication, at least—it’s hard to top the consumption of sweets when it comes to absolute primal pleasure.
“The moment sugar touches your mouth, a complex cascade of events is triggered involving taste, learning,...

The chief executive officer is often the face of a brand. And when the time comes for a new leader to assume the role, experts say, an efficient succession plan can help establish a smooth transition and reassure employees that all is well with the brand.
In its first-ever succession, Elevation...

What are some of the trends you’re seeing in the dessert space today?
The smaller, bite-sized portions, or the flights or the samplers, are a trend in order for people to have portion control, to have variety, to try different things on the menu. I think some of the flavors that are still more...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...

In just over a month, Nashville's pizza-lovers will get to experience a new take on one of America's favorite foods. Blaze Pizza, the fast-casual, build-your-own pizza chain, announced today that it will be opening its first Nashville location in Brentwood. The restaurant will be located at 7011...

bb.q, Best of the Best Quality Chicken, a multi-brand, global fast-casual fried and grilled chicken franchise concept with more than 3,800 locations worldwide, is now setting its sights on the United States, launching a bold franchise expansion initiative.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen continues its seafood tradition during Seafood Mardi Gras with a Cajun twist on a classic dish, surf and turf, as only Popeyes can make it—Cajun style! Cajun Surf & Turf is loaded with two handcrafted tenders of your choice—mild, spicy, or blackened—and four premium...

Tropical Smoothie Café, the fast casual café concept known for its better-for-you food and smoothies with a tropical twist, announced the opening of its first restaurant in the Seattle market. Located in the center of Bellevue, Washington, at 10445 NE 4 Street, the new Tropical Smoothie Café is...

Bourbon Brothers Holding Corporation announced a formal agreement to license the Southern Hospitality (SH) brand for new fast-casual units. The company plans to open up to five new fast-casual units in the Denver and Colorado Springs markets over the next 18 months under the agreement.

While Atlanta has served as the starting point for Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint’s path as one of the nation’s fastest-growing fast casual pizzeria; the market continues to be a priority for the franchisor. Local residents Al Brown and Mike Haines recently signed agreements to build eight units in...

The smaller, bite-sized portions, or the flights or the samplers, are a trend in order for people to have portion control, to have variety, to try different things on the menu. I think some of the flavors...

Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

When fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen Inc. debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last April, the Plano, Texas–based Mediterranean-style eatery recorded its initial public offering at $87.5 million. Satisfying an investor appetite for investments within the trendy fast-casual space, Zoës’ strong...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...